CALIFORNIA SANGAT: YOUR HELP AND VOICE IS NEEDED URGENTLY ACTION NEEDED NOW—SEND LETTERS OF SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNOR Last week community members took action to push along the important bill that is working towards including Sikh Americans in the curriculum framework which successfully led to Assemblymembers Gatto and Perez supporting the cause. The last step is here. Community members need to send printed letters of support to Governor Jerry Brown this week. Urge Governor Brown to pass this bill via sending a message today. If you use the online form, SALDEF will mail a copy of your letter for you. Take Action Now! The Revised Curriculum Framework Bill was introduced in the California State Senate by Senator Hancock, and co-authored by Senators De Leon and Wyland, and Assembly Members Alego, Davis, Eng, Portantino, and Yamada. This legislation aims at updating the history and social science curriculum in the State of California, it will allow completion of K-12 History Social-Science Curriculum Framework (H/SS-CF). This is important to Sikh Americans because it will give the opportunity to create awareness and education around Sikhism. ACTION NEEDED NOW—SEND LETTERS OF SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNOR Why is it important to Sikh Americans? With recent tragedies, as well as issues that the Sikh American community has been facing for decades, we need to ensure that Sikh American history and voices are included to be taught to the youth of tomorrow. Lack of education and awareness about who Sikh Americans are is a large factor in the discrimination, hate and violence that our community has seen. The current History-Social Science Curriculum Framework does not include Sikh Americans. This means publishers are not required to include Sikhs in K-12 history and social science textbooks, and teachers are not required to teach about Sikh culture, identity and faith. What is the Bill About? This bill is simply geared at ensuring that the educational curriculum in History and Social Sciences that is currently being taught in all California schools be updated. The content has not been revisited and updated since 1998, which means all students in California are being denied a fair education with current information. Where is it? The bill has so far been unopposed and passed in the legislature. The only remaining step is for Governor Brown to sign the bill. ACTION NEEDED NOW—SEND LETTERS OF SUPPORT TO THE GOVERNOR TAKE ACTION: 1. Print the included letter of support. 2. Include your name and address 3. MAIL the letter to the Governor: Governor of California State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 4. Gather additional support from sangat members via gurdwara or large gatherings and bulkMAIL these signed letters to the Governor. Use the following letter: The Honorable Jerry Brown Governor of California State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 August , 2012 Dear Governor Brown: I request you to please sign SB1540 (Hancock) to allow completion of revision of the History-Social Science Curriculum Framework because it will assist in creating awareness about Sikh Americans, the need for which has been emphasized by ACR181(Logue, 2010) and ACR97(Perea, 2012). As you might know observant Sikhs are distinguished by dastaars (Sikh turbans) and other articles of faith and are regrettably subjected to hate crimes, racial profiling, discrimination, and denial of public accommodation because of their perceived race, ethnicity, religion, and national origin. The August 5th shooting in Wisconsin resulting in the killing of six peaceful Sikhs, inside their place of worship is a horrific tragedy that underscores the urgent need to educate the public about Sikhs. Additionally, the Mesa, Arizona killing of Balbir Singh Sodhi on 9/15/2001, the beating of a Sikh American cab driver in West Sacramento in Nov. 2010 and the Elk-Grove, California shooting of two elderly Sikhs provide additional context for our request. Thus, we encourage you to pass SB1540 (Hancock). All these emphasize the urgency of passing of at the earliest. Additionally, most of the work involving the adoption of a revised Framework stands completed, allowing for all California students the opportunity to receive a current and high quality education. Kindly do sign SB1540 (Hancock). Thanks in anticipation. Respectfully, Name & Address To print, please download the letter here. Special thanks to Dr.Onkar Bindra for spearheading this cause & Amar Shergill and the West Sacramento Gurdwara Sahib for their leadership.
